There are fears some students may not be able to attend Mackay’s iconic Mocktail event next month because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson has written to Queensland’s chief health officer Jeannette Young asking her to step in to allow all students to attend.
Cr Williamson said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s decision to allow Anzac Day to go ahead as normal should extend to other significant community events.
Established in 1991 as an alcohol and drug free party, The Mocktail is a tradition senior high school students across the Mackay and Whitsundays look forward to each year at Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre.
Queensland MPs are set to vote on euthanasia legislation this year – find out what your elected state representative had to say >>>
A former Sarina resident whose dying mother asked her to put a pillow over her face has welcomed a Mackay politician s stance on voluntary assisted dying. Vicky Crichton watched her mum Brenda Bartlem-Ward s weight drop from 100kg to just 38kg in her final months of life. For someone who was so vibrant and happy - watching her fade every day was just heartwrenching, Ms Crichton said. She would be in a wheelchair looking at a fish tank with no light in her eyes. It was soul destroying. Refusing to eat or take medication despite being in excruciating pain, Ms Crichton s mum begged anyone who would listen to please, end my life .
Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert has stated her support for voluntary assisted dying legislation as she prepares to launch a survey to gauge the community s stance on the contentious issue. Mrs Gilbert said she believed, on a personal level, there was a need for VAD legislation to give people with terminal illness a choice over whether to end their lives. After talking to young people who are looking at a really horrific end to their life, I do believe there needs to be that choice, she said. Queensland MPs are set to vote on euthanasia legislation this year, after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made it a key election pledge.